Any race can fill the shoes of a Red Mage, it all depends on what skills you prefer. For all-around, go with the Hume. For magic spells, go with the Taru Taru. For fighting abilities, go with the Galka or the Elvaan.

Where most jobs in FF XI specialize in doing one thing, the Red Mage is a generalist who learns to do a bit of everything. The best active ability of the Red Mage is Chainspell which allows the mage to cast its spells faster for 1 minute although the recharge time is 2 hours. The Red Mage also has the Convert ability at level 40 which swaps your HP with your MP, very useful when you're low on health.

The passive abilities of the Red Mage are Resist Petrify at levels 10, 30 and 50, which give it increased resistance to petrification. There is Fast Cast at levels 15 and 35 which increase the rate of casting. The Red Mage gets Magic Attack Bonuses at levels 20 and 40, and Magic Defense Bonuses at levels 25 and 45. At level 31, there is Clear Mind which increases the MP regeneration rate.

The Red Mage's spells consist of both the spells of the White Mage and Black Mage but does not contain the most powerful spells of either. Still as a spellcaster it can attack, heal, deal status effects, and ressurect characters. A great combination spellcaster for those looking for one.

The Red Mage is a fighter / mage, able to use both swords and spells. The Red Mage gets some of the healing magic of a White Mage, some of the destruction magic of a Black Mage and a little bit of their own magic thrown in as well. This being said, the Red Mage learns most of their spells at higher levels (i.e. later) than White / Black Mages learn theirs.

Red Mages get all types of magic, as they draw from the spell lists of both Black and White mages (and a few of their own unique spells as well). Note that all mages need to learn a spell before they can cast it. Learning a spell involves buying the spell scrolls (similar to how warriors must buy weapons) and then learning (using) it to put it into their spell book.

Red mages might encounter difficulties in partying, some characters and parties looks for red mages who specialize in certain skill compared to the more generalized builds of other Red mages. But overall Red mages are also good solo fighters.